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T h e paper presents a n A n t Colony Search Algorithm (ACSA)-based approach t o solve t h e unit commitment (UC) problem. This ACSA algorithm is a relatively new metaheuristic for solving h a r d combinatorial optimization problems. It is a population-based approach t h a t uses exploitation of positive feedback, distributed computation as well as constructive greedy heuristic. Positive feedback is for fast discovery of good solutions, distributed computation avoids early convergence, a n d t h e greedy heuristic helps find adequate solutions in t h e early stages of t h e search process. T h e ACSA was inspired from natural behavior of t h e a n t colonies on how they find t h e food source and bring them back to their nest by building the unique trail formation. T h e U C problem solved using the proposed approach is subject to real power balance, real power operating limits of generating units, spinning reserve, start u p cost, a n d minimum u p a n d down time constraints. T h e proposed approach determines t h e search space of multi-stage scheduling followed by considering the unit transition related constraints d u r i n g t h e process of state transition. T h e paper describes the proposed approach a n d presents test results on a IO-unit test system t h a t demonstrates its effectiveness in solving the U C problem.Index Terms -A n t colony search algorithm, distributed cooperative agents, optimization, unit commitment.

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SUMMARYThis paper focuses on the experimental verification of an electrochemical model of 100 W portable direct hydrogen fed proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell (FC). The model is built based on the relationship between the FC terminal voltage and the partial pressures of hydrogen and oxygen. The model is then used to predict the output voltage and study the transient response of a PEMFC when subjected to rapid changes in the load. To validate the model, the measurements obtained from a commercially available 100 W FC are compared against the model results. Three different scenarios are considered for testing the model and the actual FC. In the first two scenarios, a step change in the load is used. In the third scenario, the load is replaced by a laptop computer. Results show a close agreement between the voltage and the power responses of the proposed model and the actual PEM FC.

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